Day 10 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

It's a drizzly cool day here in the Valley. The pups and I went to the vets this morning so Bonnie could get her monthly allergy shot. Clyde didn't behave too badly. On Friday they go to the cleaners to get their winter bath and haircut. Jo spent the morning organizing Christmas stuff.

Now it's time for my Xmas Countdown post, Day 10 or Book and Song #16. When I hit #10, I may add some favorite TV shows of 2019. We'll see. Anyway, here we go.

Book 16

Bill Bryon

Bill Bryson - The Road to Little Dribbling.

Jo introduced me to American author, Bryson. She loved his travel journals. I've read 5 of his books since she pointed him out to me; Shakespeare, the World as a Stage, One Summer, America 1927, Neither Here nor There, At Home, A Short History of Private Life and A Short History of Nearly Everything. And now, I've added The Road to Little Dribbling. I enjoy his humour and the manner in which he provides information about history, countries, science, almost anything. You're being taught without even realizing it. My review of Little Dribbling is below.

"Over the past few years I've read and enjoyed a few of Bill Bryson's excellent novels; At Home, One Summer, A Short History of Nearly Everything, etc. I like his wit and intelligence and the varied information that he imparts and his enjoyable, readable manner of doing so. The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island was published in 2015 and could be considered as a sequel to his previous Notes from a Small Island (I haven't read that yet, my wife Jo has).

In Notes, he journeyed throughout Great Britain, talking about the localities, the history, culture, etc. In The Road to Little Dribbling, Bryson revisits this previous journey, this time trying to take a look at locales he missed on his previous journey, starting in southern England, Bognor Regis and ending on the most northern point of Scotland, Cape Wrath.

As per all of the other books I've read, it's a meandering journey, criss-crossing England and Wales until his final dash to Cape Wrath. Bryson is getting more crusty and irascible as he gets older, but then again who isn't. He does spend a fair amount of time deriding 'stupidity' and being gently turned away from conversations that might turn cranky, either by his wife or friends taking him by the elbow or by having the conversations with his inner voice.

In each locale, he finds bits of history or science or just interesting tidbits that add to the richness of his journey. At one point he wanders into a discussion of two books that discuss how the English motorway numbering system works and doesn't work, or how the various districts of London are numbered and, once again, how it works and doesn't work and how it confuses even long-time residents. It might seem a boring subject, but Bryson has a way of making it interesting, touching lightly on it to impart  information and making it humorous to make you enjoy discovering those facts.

I've always had an interest in Great Britain, having spent some time traveling throughout during the course of my military career. My wife, like Bryson's, is English so I spent a lot of time reading her excerpts to see what she thought, which added to my enjoyment. All in all, the journey was fun and informative and continued my enjoyment of reading and following Bryson's unique perspective and writing. (4.5 stars)"

Song 16

Sigala / Becky Hill

Sigala / Becky Hill - Wish You Well.

Bruce Fielder (AKA Sigala) was born in Norwich, England in 1989 and is a record producer / DJ. He has had six singles top the UK charts. Becky Hill is an English singer / songwriter who was born in 1994 in Bewdley, Worcestershire. (You may see her again in this list). In 2014, she became the first winner of the Voice UK to score a UK #1 hit. Wish You Well was written by both and released in May 2019. The single peaked at #8 on the UK singles chart.

There you go. I hope you enjoy both. I'm off for lunch.

Day 9 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

We're having our morning coffee / OJ and watching The View and waiting for Perry Mason to start. So let's get down to work. Day 9 of my 2019 Book / Song choices AKA my 25 favorite books of 2019 and 25 favorite songs on my USB.

Book 17

J.J. Marric

J.J. Marric - Gideon's Week.

J.J. Marric (born John Creasey) lived from 1908 - 1973. He wrote under Creasey, J.J. Marric, Anthony Morton, Gordon Ashe, etc. Over the course of his life he wrote crime series, adventures, and many more. I've read books in his Commander Gideon series, have started The Baron and Dr. Palfrey. But those just touch the surface of this prolific author. The Gideon series is particularly good, an excellent police procedural that follows Commander Gideon and his team. My review of Gideon's Week, #2 in the series is below.


"Gideon's Week is the 2nd book in the Commander Gideon series by prolific author, J.J. Marric. In many ways it reminds me of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series. Both are excellent police procedurals. They are concise, well-crafted and grab your attention.

In Gideon's Week, Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard is dealing with many situations. The main crisis is a prison break in Manchester. Of the 9 men who have escaped was one Syd Benson, gangster, murderer. He was put in prison by Gideon on the testimony of Benson's wife. Benson wants to get down to London to get vengeance on his wife. As they wait to see if Benson and the other escapees are captured or make it to London, Gideon prepares the force, protecting Mrs Benson and her children.

As well, the daily caseload never stops. Bad weather helped the escape in Manchester and kept the day-to-day criminal activities in London down. But the weather is improving and while Gideon's force is stretched thin, robberies are on the uptake as well as other crimes. These must be dealt with as well. There are other cases that take up Gideon's time, including the suspected murder of a young woman by her boyfriend. This case incites the interest of one of Gideon's daughters.

The story is fascinating, moves along nicely and holds your attention throughout. The various cases are all detailed and investigated individually, with Gideon tying them all together. There is intimidation, tension and excellent character development. All in all, an excellent mystery, well worth attempting. (4.5 stars)"

Song 17

Tom Speight

Tom Speight - Heart Shaker.

Tom Speight is a singer / song writer from London England. He blends a mix of folk and pop in his songs. His first EP came out in 2016 and he followed up with a number of other EP's. Heart Shaker was released in 2019.

Have a great week!

A Weekend Reading Update

Sunday continues. Brighton managed to draw 2-2 with Wolves. It keeps them in 12th place in the league. Crystal Palace beckons next weekend.

I finished another book this weekend. I'm down to 3 books left for December so I might try a couple more. But I'll wait until I finish The Passage as it's a long book. I dropped some books off at my used book store and also at a couple of the other Little Free Libraries in the area. I did buy one book also.

I'll update both books and also continue with my look at the Mystery Genre - American Cops.

Just Finished

1. Gently By the Shore by Alan Hunter (Chief Inspector George Gently #2).











"Gently By the Shore is the 2nd book in the Chief Inspector George Gently mystery series by Alan Hunter. It's the 3rd book I've read. And like the others, this was an excellent mystery.

I find myself comparing the books to the TV series which is unfair. The TV series is set much later in Gently's career (at least I assume it is, as in the TV series, you find Gently working out of Newcastle, instead of as a Scotland Yard inspector). But having said that, it's neither here nor there as both are excellent.

In Gently by the Shore, we find Inspector Gently on vacation near Norfolk. A murder takes place at a lumberyard and Gently hears about and offers his assistance to the local constabulary. His presence is resented by the local inspector, Hansom. The owner of the local lumberyard, a Dutchman, Peter Huysmann, is murdered in his office (stabbed in the back) and his safe emptied. Suspects are his estranged son (now working in a travelling fair as a motorcycle rider in the Wall of Death), his daughter, the manager of the lumber yard and the chauffeur.

As Alan Hunter says in his preamble, the story isn't so much a 'whodunit' as a police investigation. Gently comes with no preconceived notions, except his feeling that the son is not the killer, but instead, investigates and gathers clues. to find out who the suspect actually is. The locals have their sights set on the son, who has disappeared, but Gently is very sure he isn't the one.

There is an excellent cast of characters, even down to the little boy who Gently meets in the ruins. Those are lovely scenes. Gently is a wonderful character, older, smart, intuitive and I need to get me some peppermint creams. He's methodical with his investigation and is able to dig out clues that the other cops don't even think about. Excellent story and series so far. (4.5 stars)"

New Books
It always happens. I order a book because I haven't seen a certain book in the store. When I get it, the very next day it and any other books from the same author all show up in the store.

1. The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde (Nursery Crimes #2).

"The Gingerbreadman - psychopath, genius, convicted murderer and biscuit - is loose on the streets of Reading.

But it isn't Jack Spratt's case. Enforced non-involvement looks to be frustrating, until a chance encounter at the oddly familiar Deja Vu Club leads them into the hunt for missing journalist Henriette 'Goldy' Hatchett, star reporter for The Daily Toad.

The last witnesses to see her alive were the Three Bears, comfortably living a life of rural solitude in Andersen's wood. But all is not what it seems. Are the unexplained explosions around the world related to a missing nuclear scientist? How dangerous can cucumber-growing be?

And most important of all: how could the bears' porridge be at such disparate temperatures when they were poured at the same time?"

My Ongoing Look at the Mystery Genre - American Cops
In my last entry I looked at Kathy Reichs's Temperance Brennan forensic mystery series.

John Sandford

1. John Sandford - Lucas Davenport 'Prey'.

John Roswell Camp (AKA John Sandford) was born in Cedar Rapids Iowa in 1944. He is a New York Times best selling author and also has received a Pulitzer Prize. He has written a number of series but I've been focused on his Prey series, featuring Chicago Minneapolis cop, Lucas Davenport. Since 1989, he has written 19 29 books in this series. I've read the first two so far and have a few others sitting on my bookshelf. (Ed Note. I made a couple of errors above, as pointed out by my older brother Rick. There are 29 books in the series, not 19 and Lucas Davenport is a Minneapolis cop. Thanks, Rick)

a. Rules of Prey (1989).











"This is my first experience with John Sandford's Prey series. I quite enjoyed it. It's an easy read and Lucas Davenport is an interesting character. He isn't a super-human like many thriller protagonists. He definitely has many strengths, his love of firearms, his way with women, his game playing skills, but at the same time he has many doubts and flaws that make him a more rounded character. This first story was an excellent introduction to the series; the 'villain', a serial killer dubbed maddog, was unique as well, not perfect but scary. The story moved along quite nicely and I liked the process of the investigation itself. Overall, it was a tense, well-crafted thriller/ mystery and definitely makes you want to continue with the series to see how much Davenport's character and those of his acquaintances are further developed. (4 stars)"

b. Shadow Prey (1990).

"Shadow Prey is the 2nd book in the Prey (Lucas Davenport) mystery / cop series by John Sandford. Davenport is a cop in Minneapolis; he's a computer game creator, a hard-nosed cop and a bit of a lady's man. In this story, a group of native Americans begin a guerrilla war against various powerful people, aiming for a certain man who has harmed them in the past.

The murders take place across America and bring a female NY police officer to Minneapolis as part of the investigation. Davenport finds her very attractive and there is an ongoing story of their budding relationship as they also investigate the murders and try to find out who is the perp.

The story has lots of action but regularly veers off on a tangent to explore the relationship between Davenport and Lily. I liked the investigation even though there were a couple of what I perceived clues that were missed that I thought were kind of obvious. It's an easy, fast-paced read and an entertaining story. I will continue reading the series. It's one of those series that you can enjoy when you want a break from heavier reading. (3 stars)"

c. Eyes of Prey (1991).









"Lieutenant Davenport's sanity was nearly shattered by two murder investigations. Now he faces something worse...two killers. One hideously scarred. The other strikingly handsome, a master manipulator fascinated with all aspects of death. The dark mirror of Davenport's soul...This is the case that will bring Davenport back to life. Or push him over the edge."

d. Silent Prey (1992).












"He was right. His guards slain, the brilliant, insane pathologist of Eyes of Prey flees to New York, there to continue his research into aspects of death. Carefully, he conducts his experiments, searching the eyes of his dying victims for what they can reveal, the mounting body count causing an uproar in the city.

In desperation, the police reach out for the man who knew Bekker best, but when Lucas arrives, he finds unexpected danger as well. For Lily Rothenburg, the policewoman whose intense affair with Lucas has never completely faded, is there too. Now, consumed with her own investigation of a group of rogue killers within the police department, she draws Lucas into her orbit again, until their hunts merge, their twin obsessions driving them ever closer to the edge . . . and then over."

e. Winter Prey (1993).

"The Iceman is Lucas Davenport's most determined foe - a serial killer driven to cover his brutal tracks with blood.  Sandford again creates almost unbearable suspense as we wait for the Ice Man's razor-sharp corn knife to strike.

Winter Prey unfolds in the cold and driving snow of the north country, the perfect setting for the chilling terror caused by the Ice Man, a killer who knows Lucas' every move - a coldly brilliant madman who can't be stopped.  Turn up the heat and listen as Lucas Davenport faces his most dangerous challenge."

Enough to tease you? The complete list of Prey books can be found at this link.

Day 8 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

Football Sunday and I'm waiting to see how Brighton does against Wolves.. Go Brighton!!! And of course, being a person who believes in jinxes, I've now affected the result of the game.... 😓 In the interim, Jo and I are having our toast and tea / coffee and watching old episodes of Mannix. Lovely Gail Fisher..

Anyway now it's time for my daily music / book countdown.

Book 18

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie - The Clocks

It's only in the last few years that I've really begun to explore this great author. In my younger years, I remember reading a few and then getting frustrated with the endings. But I'm so glad to have started reading her stories. My review of The Clocks is below.

"I am so glad that I started exploring Agatha Christie a few years ago. She is such a great writer. The Clocks is #37 in her Hercule Poirot series. I enjoyed this mystery very much.

Poirot basically plays a very small role in this particular story. The story focuses on Colin Lamb, a British spy, and son of a friend of Poirot (indications are it might be Superintendent Battle) and Detective Inspector Hardcastle, Lamb's friend and the main investigator. Poirot is invited to assist by Lamb, as he feels Poirot is bored with his life. Poirot for the most part provides questions and information but from the comfort of his apartment.

Sheila Webb works for a typing agency and she is sent (after being asked for by name) to provide typing services for Miss Pebmarsh, a blind woman. What she finds when she arrives at Miss Pebmarsh's house instead is the dead body of a man. Miss Pebmarsh arrives shortly after and Sheila runs from the home screaming, crashing into Colin Lamb, who is wandering up and down the street looking for a specific house. This brings along DI Hardcastle.

It turns out that the body is unidentifiable and that Miss Pebmarsh didn't ask for secretarial assistance. Lamb and Hardcastle investigate. Lamb also is looking for an enemy spy and his investigation might cross into the murder investigation. Lamb continues to provide information to Poirot and also travels to the continent as part of his spy investigation. There are many interesting aspects to the investigation, especially the 4 additional clocks that sit on the mantle-piece in Miss Pebmarsh's house.

It's a nice, light, interesting mystery. The characters are all well created, especially Lamb and Hardcastle and the possible suspects are all entertaining. For some reason, I found this story particularly clear and logically formatted. It moves along smoothly step by step to the end, when Monsieur Poirot comes in to provide the links for the solution. I also enjoyed the portion where Poirot, who has taken up reading mysteries to ease his boredom, provides an analysis of various other mysteries, especially some that I've read. One of the most enjoyable I've read so far. (4.5 stars)"

Song 18

Desireless

Voyage Voyage by Desireless

Desireless was a French musician, Claudia Fritsch-Mentrop. Voyage Voyage was the first single off her debut album in 1986. Even though the song was sung in French, it was a hit in many countries across Europe. It's a great song.

Have a great Sunday!

Day 7 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

Saturday morning footie today. Nice to see Everton beating Chelsea, a resounding first victory for Big Dunc Ferguson. I wonder who will eventually be the official manager of the team? Who do you think will win the Manchester derby? 0-0 at the moment.

Anyway, I finished the 2nd George Gently mystery this morning. I'll update that in a separate post. Now it's time for Day 7 of my Xmas countdown.

Book 19

James Herbert

James Herbert - Nobody True

James Herbert lived from 1943 - 2013 and was one of the great writers in the horror genre. I like the fact that not only did he write horror stories but he also designed his own book covers. His novels sold over 54 million copies worldwide. I've now read three of his stories, The Fog, The Secret of Crickley Hall and, most recently, Nobody True. I'm sure I'll continue to read his stories. My review is below.

"The basic premise of this novel is that the narrator of Nobody True, one James True, is a successful ad executive, a husband and father and is also able to perform OBE's (out of body experiences). While on an OBE one night, he returns to his body to find that he has been brutally murdered (this is quite graphically described).

My first thoughts on starting the story was, 'heck, this is a long 'un'. It takes a little while to get to the crux of the story. (It is told in the first person, if you are interested). We learn about True's childhood, his poor relationship with his mother, a bicycle accident in which he suffers a head injury and finds himself observing his body from the outside. This starts his exploration of OBE's (there are neat little footnotes throughout the story that elaborates on things that James discovers over the course of his life, about these experiences). True becomes a successful graphic designer and forms a small, successful advertising agency with two friends. Later in his life, one of his partners wants to sell their business to a bigger agency, there is an argument and at this point True, alone in their hotel room, has an OBE and as mentioned previously, returns to find his body desecrated.

True's partner is suspected as well as a serial killer who has been committing similar murders, with some key differences. True now without a body, finds himself wandering around London, visiting his wife and daughter, his mother, the police and also finds himself drawn to a basement apartment where he meets the person who might actually be the serial killer. From this point the story takes off. It's gruesome at times, as True describes the killer's actions, but at the same time also fascinating. True meets with other spirits at a seance and is told he must stop the killer. I had ideas about this, but will let you form your own as you delve into this story.

There are neat twists and turns that are unexpected (to me anyway) and also some very emotional moments that caught me up as well. I wasn't expecting much from this story and it took me awhile to get through it (I partially blame it on the fact that I have a few books on the go at once), but I'm glad that I stuck with it and spent a couple of hours this morning finishing it off. Excellent, well-paced, well-written and totally entertaining. Beware though that it is very graphic. (4.5 stars)"

Song 19

Honeymoan

Honeymoan - Low Blow

Honeymoan is a band from South Africa that formed just for fun in 2017. Their music ranges from funky bass driven songs to alt pop anthems. They state that their influences range from Drake through Alvvays to Red Hot Chili Peppers. Low Blow is from their 2019 EP Body.

Have a great Saturday. I'm going back to bed for a bit, then will watch Strictly Come Dancing with my missus. Take care.

A Friday Reading Update

My second post of today. I finished a book this morning. I also had a book left in my Little Free Library and two of my last ordered books of the year. I'll update these and will also continue with my ongoing look at the Mystery Genre - American Cops.

Just Finished

Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert. I started Gilbert's books a few years back. I like his writing style very much. He is known for his Inspector Hazelrigg and Petrella series. I've enjoyed books in each. Death in Captivity was also excellent. My review is below.









"I've read 4 other books by author Michael Gilbert, those being from his Inspectors Hazelrigg and Petrella mystery series. Death in Captivity is a unique mystery, set in a prisoner of war camp in Italy. The camp is filled with British soldiers. As most POW stories, they are digging tunnels and trying their best to escape. Into the midst of this scenario is thrust a murder mystery. A British officer, suspected by many of the other POWs of being an Italian spy, is found murdered under a fall of dirt in the main tunnel.

The British prisoners must find a way of letting the Italians discover the body without giving up the tunnel. They come up with the idea of moving the body to a disused tunnel. The Italians determine that Coutoules has been murdered. The senior British officer, Col Laverly, asks one of his officers, Captain Goyle, to conduct an investigation into the death and see if he can come up with a solution.

So you have a murder investigation, which may somehow implicate the Italians. You have a possible spy in the midst of the British prisoners, for some reason. As well, the Allied troops have invaded Sicily and the invasion of mainland Italy may soon come about. And, of course, the British troops continue their efforts to escape. This effort is increased as the thought of an Allied invasion of Italy comes closer and also a possible change of leadership in Italy.

So, as you see, it's a very rich story, with many varied plot lines. Consider also the ongoing plans for a play by some of the British prisoners, a remaking of The Barrets of Wimpole Street. Gilbert writes in an easy flowing style. He develops great characters. I particularly enjoyed Goyle, but there were many others as well. The story moves along nicely, the mystery is developed perfectly and the actions within the prison are interesting, both from a historical perspective and from a mystery perspective.

I enjoyed this story immensely. It was unique and refreshing. I just wished their had been a summing up on the final activities. Gilbert continues to impress me with his story telling. Excellent mystery and war story. (4.5 stars)"

New Books

1. Sparkling Cyanide (AKA Remembered Death) by Agatha Christie (Colonel Race #4).

"Six people reunite to remember beautiful Rosemary Barton, who died nearly a year before. The loving sister, the long-suffering husband, the devoted secretary, the lovers, the betrayed wife - none of them can forget Rosemary.

But did one of them murder her"

2. A Nice Class of Corpse by Simon Brett (Mrs. Pargeter #1). I've enjoyed all of Brett's mystery series; Charles Paris, the Fettering mysteries and also a later book in the Mrs. Pargeter series.










"Simon Brett introduces Melita Pargeter, his newest detective. Melita is a rich and vivacious lady, whose mystery-solving talents come in handy when a murderer strikes a hotel for retirees. Simon's talents come in handy for writing hilariously."

3. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde (Nursery Crime #1).  Fforde's Thursday Next fantasy mystery series is excellent. I thought I should try the first book in his other series.










"It's Easter in Reading—a bad time for eggs—and no one can remember the last sunny day. Ovoid D-class nursery celebrity Humpty Stuyvesant Van Dumpty III, minor baronet, ex-convict, and former millionaire philanthropist, is found shattered to death beneath a wall in a shabby area of town. All the evidence points to his ex-wife, who has conveniently shot herself.

But Detective Inspector Jack Spratt and his assistant Mary Mary remain unconvinced, a sentiment not shared with their superiors at the Reading Police Department, who are still smarting over their failure to convict the Three Pigs of murdering Mr. Wolff. Before long Jack and Mary find themselves grappling with a sinister plot involving cross-border money laundering, bullion smuggling, problems with beanstalks, titans seeking asylum, and the cut and thrust world of international chiropody.

And on top of all that, the Jelly-Man is coming to town . . ."

My Ongoing Look at the Mystery Genre - American Cops
In my last entry I looked at Kathy Reichs's Temperance Brennan series.

Eric Rickstad

1. Eric Rickstad - Canaan Crime. Eric Rickstad is an American crime writer was the New York Times best - selling author of The Silent Girls, the second book in his Canaan Crime series, set in Vermont, his home state. He has written 3 books in this series. I've read the first and have the second on my bookshelf. 

OK, this is strange. In one list of his Canaan Crime books, The Silent Girls is listed as #1 and Lie in Wait is #2. In my Goodreads list, Lie in Wait is listed as #1, even though it was published before Silent Girls. I've read Lie in Wait, at any rate.

a. Lie in Wait (2015).

"The first book in the Canaan crime series by Eric Rickstad, Lie In Wait is also my first exposure to his writing. Based on this story, I look forward to reading more. There are three books in the Canaan crime series and he has also written two standalone novels.

The town of Canaan is located Vermont. The story starts with the violent murder of a young girl, baby-sitting for a local lawyer and his wife. The lawyer, Jon Merryfield, is assisting two gay men in their case against the state. This is not popular with a certain group in the community and this is one possible story line for investigation. Local detective, Sonja Test, is involved in the murder investigation, but in a subsidiary role to the State police investigator, Detective North. There is friction between the two, although they also make a reasonable team.

Other suspects begin to come to the surface as the two investigate. Could it be the star football player, who may have been having a relationship with 'underage' Jessica Cumber. Could it be his father, trying to protect his son? Could it be the lawyer himself? What about Jed King, the local trouble maker, who may have been trying to implicate the lawyer? It's an interesting group of suspects, each with seeming secrets to hide and the investigation moves along nicely.

While Sonja is the main character, the story does move between the various main characters, adding to the texture of the story. There are enough incidents throughout the story and an ongoing feeling of menace which adds to the tension that Rickstad develops. It's not a perfect story by any means but it is well-written, flows along very nicely and all in all, it's a satisfying mystery. (4 stars)"

2. Silent Girls (2014).

"With the dead of a bitter Vermont winter closing in, evil is alive and well . . .

Frank Rath thought he was done with murder when he turned in his detective's badge to become a private investigator and raise a daughter alone. Then the police in his remote rural community of Canaan find an '89 Monte Carlo abandoned by the side of the road, and the beautiful teenage girl who owned the car seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Soon Rath's investigation brings him face-to-face with the darkest abominations of the human soul.

With the consequences of his violent and painful past plaguing him, and young women with secrets vanishing one by one, he discovers once again that even in the smallest towns on the map, evil lurks everywhere--and no one is safe."

The last book, so far, in the series is The Names of the Dead Girls, published in 2017.

 So there you go. I hope you find one or more of these books interesting.

Day 6 - My Xmas Month Countdown - A Book and a Song

It's a rainy Friday but also fairly mild out there. I went to our favorite cafe in Courtenay and got us lunch sarnies and apple strudels for dessert. Yummy. I've made my picks for the weekend footie matches. It will be a bit more interesting what with the new managers in place for a few of the teams. I'm still a little nark'd about TSN and Sportsnet no longer showing the games because some online company bought the rights for the game. I hope nobody has been paying to watch the games from them. Let them go out of business! At least I get a Saturday game on NBC and I can still follow the rest on the BBC site live text.

Now for your Friday book and song, this time #20.

Book 20

Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin - Fleshmarket Close (Inspector Rebus #15).

When Jo and I first married we got hooked on the various Inspector Rebus TV series, the first starring John Hannah and then the second starring Ken Stott. In 2008, we were living in Victoria while I was stationed there. Coming home (back to Comox) for Xmas that year, Jo made a couple of stops, one to one of my favorite books stores, Chronicles of Crime. I discovered that she had purchased me almost the complete set of Rebus books; I think the store was missing only three or four. She presented this package to me Xmas day. Since then I've been enjoying the Rebus books immensely. I have 7 left to read, some just Rebus but a couple of others featuring his new character Malcolm Fox of the Complaints division. Anyway, there really haven't been any naff books in the series. Rebus is a great character. My review of Fleshmarket Close follows.

"Fleshmarket Close is the 15th book in Ian Rankin's Inspector John Rebus mystery series set in Edinburgh. It's the second Rebus book I've read this month, this one even more enjoyable than the previous.

DI Rebus and DS Siobhan Clark, Rebus's partner have been moved to the Gayfield Police sub-station as part of a reallocation of resources in the Edinburgh PD. The story starts with Rebus assisting with a murder of an immigrant in the Knoxland housing development, not technically within Rebus's area of responsibility. In the meantime, Siobhan is meeting with the Jardine family. There oldest girl had been raped by one Donald Cruickshank and afterword committed suicide. He is now out of prison and their other daughter, Ishbel, has disappeared. As well both Rebus and Siobhan are called to the discovery  of the bones of a woman and a baby buried in the cement in the basement of an Edinburgh pub.

This is a very rich story and also quite topical to today, dealing with immigrants and refugees and their treatment. We also get to meet Rebus's nemesis, Edinburgh gangster Cafferty. There are tensions between Rebus and Siobhan after events from the previous story and they find themselves working differing cases for the most part. There is also a bit of a frisson between Rebus and a woman he meets when he visits the refugee holding facility at Whitemire.

The story wanders from Rebus to Siobhan and back and flows very nicely. We meet some old characters, especially DS Ellen Wylie who spends time with Rebus. I quite like her, even if her part isn't extensive. Big Ger Cafferty of course plays a role. But there are new interesting characters who play varying roles in the story, refugee lawyer Dirwan, DI Les Young, AKA Captain Underpants, Siobhan's partner for the most part, Caro Quinn, who monitors Whitemire and develops a tentative relationship with Rebus.

This is one of my favorite Rebus stories. I really like his portrayal of the immigrant situation, the differing points of view, the difficulty of even coming to terms with it. He also presents the different cases and how they ultimately tie together in the end in a flowing, easy manner. It was a pleasure to read. (4.5 stars)"

Song 20

Freya Ridings

Castles by Freya Ridings

English singer / songwriter, Freya Ridings, is a new artist for me. She was born in London in 1994 and released her most well known single to date, Lost Without You in 2017. It peaked at #9 on the UK Singles charts in 2019. Castles was released as a single in May 2019 and was the fifth single from her debut album. It's a lovely song. Enjoy.

Well, there you go. If I have time, I might do a reading update today. Otherwise it'll be here tomorrow after Day 7.